Every home's plumbing tells a different story, and the calls we get in Athens reflect that. A slab leak under a 1960s ranch, a burst pipe in a rental unit off Baxter Street, a tankless water heater that stopped firing on a cold morning. Athens Plumbing Company handles all of it, from routine repairs to full installations, for homeowners, landlords, property managers, and commercial clients across Clarke County and the surrounding area. Call for a quote and you get straight answers about your pipes and fixtures before anything is scheduled. Simple booking. Clear pricing. Sound, lasting pipes.
For residential and commercial plumbing work alike, the scope of what we handle runs from a single dripping faucet to a complete plumbing overhaul. Homeowners call us when something breaks. Property managers call when a unit turns over and the plumbing needs attention before a new tenant moves in. Restaurants, offices, and apartment buildings call when they need a plumber who can work around an operating schedule and get the job done without dragging it out.
Working here means getting your plumbing right the first visit. We are a local plumber for homeowners who want a clear answer on what is wrong and what it costs to fix it, and we are just as useful to a property manager running a dozen units who needs the work done and documented. Give us a call and we will take it from there.
Most plumbing problems give some warning first, and a slow drain is one of the clearest. By the time water is pooling in the shower or backing up in a kitchen sink, the blockage is usually well established. We clear clogged drains throughout the house, from bathroom and bathtub drains to kitchen lines and floor drains in commercial kitchens. When a main sewer line is involved, we run a camera inspection to find where the clog sits before we start cutting or jetting.
For stubborn grease buildup, mineral scale, or compacted debris, hydro jetting clears the line thoroughly rather than just punching a hole through the blockage. Restaurant and commercial drain cleaning follows the same process, scaled to the volume those lines handle. We confirm the cause before we quote the fix. Pick up the phone and we will get moving.
A water leak left alone does not stay small. What starts as a damp spot on the ceiling or a soft patch in the drywall turns into mold, structural damage, and a water bill that keeps climbing. We locate leaks using pressure testing and electronic leak detection methods, which means we find the source without opening up every wall in the house.
Slab leak detection and repair is part of this work. A pipe running under a concrete slab can leak for weeks before it shows at the surface, and finding it accurately matters before any concrete is touched. Burst pipe repair and water line repair follow the same principle: find it, confirm it, fix it. Drain and pipe work is carried out to code, which protects the repair and the property long after we leave. We will get the job plumbed and finished.
No hot water is one of the calls that cannot wait. Whether the unit is a tank water heater that has been in the house for years or a tankless system that stopped firing, we diagnose the problem before recommending a replacement. On a tank unit, that means checking the heating element, thermostat, and whether sediment buildup has shortened the unit's useful life. On a tankless heater, we check the flow sensor, venting, and gas or electrical supply.
When replacement makes more sense than repair, we walk through the options on the call so you know what you are getting before the visit is scheduled. The price is confirmed before anything is ordered or installed. Book the visit. Scoped on the call. Done without the runaround.
Whether it is a single faucet or a full repipe, the standard for the work stays the same. A running toilet wastes more water than most people expect, and a dripping faucet is rarely just a drip. We handle toilet repair and replacement, faucet repair and installation in kitchens and bathrooms, sink installation, shower plumbing, and bathtub fixture work across all fixture types and finishes.
For renovation and remodel projects, we work with the schedule the contractor sets and handle the rough-in and finish plumbing so the tile and trim go in without a conflict. We protect your floors and finishes while we work, which matters when a bathroom remodel is already mid-project and a careless visit sets everything back. Call for a quote and we will confirm what the job involves before we schedule.
A garbage disposal that hums but will not spin, a shutoff valve that will not fully close, a whole house with water pressure that has quietly dropped over the past year. These are the calls that do not always feel urgent until they are. We install, repair, and replace garbage disposals, including hardwired units under kitchen sinks where the electrical and plumbing work overlap.
Shutoff valve repair and replacement covers both individual fixture valves and the main water shutoff, which is the one that matters most in an emergency. Low water pressure diagnostics look at the supply line, the pressure regulator, and the condition of the pipes before we recommend a fix. Each of these jobs gets scoped on the call so you know the price before we schedule. We will get the job plumbed and finished.
Older homes in Athens carry older pipe. Galvanized steel lines corrode from the inside out, which shows up as rust-colored water, pressure loss that affects every fixture at once, and leaks that keep coming back in different spots. When the pipe itself is the problem, a whole-home repipe replaces the supply lines with copper or PEX and puts the recurring repair calls behind you.
Sewer line service covers the line that runs from the house to the city connection. We clear blockages, repair damaged sections, and replace lines that have deteriorated past the point of repair. Trenchless sewer repair is an option where the line's condition and location allow it, which keeps the yard largely intact. For new construction plumbing, we rough in to the plan and finish to code. We will get the job plumbed and finished.
Athens sits on Georgia clay, carries a mature tree canopy, and runs a mix of housing stock from century-old bungalows near downtown to newer construction on the outer edges of Clarke County. That combination drives specific plumbing work here that does not come up everywhere. The three services below reflect what the local geography and housing stock actually produce.
Low-lying lots and properties with crawl spaces take on water during Clarke County's heavy spring and summer rain events. A sump pump collects groundwater before it reaches the floor structure, and installation involves setting the pit at the low point, running a discharge line clear of the foundation, and fitting a check valve to keep water from flowing back. We size the pump to the drainage load the property actually sees.
Georgia's mature hardwoods and the clay-heavy soil around Athens are a reliable combination for root intrusion into older clay and cast-iron sewer lines. Roots follow moisture, and a small crack in a line that has been in the ground for forty years is enough of an opening. We run a camera inspection to locate the intrusion, then clear it mechanically or with hydro jetting depending on what the camera shows. If the line has been compromised beyond clearing, we assess whether a section repair or full replacement is the right call.
Clarke County water draws from surface and groundwater sources with moderate hardness levels, enough to leave scale on fixtures and inside water heaters over time. We size the softener unit to the household's daily demand, connect it to the supply line ahead of the water heater and fixtures, and set the regeneration cycle to match usage. The result is less scale buildup and longer fixture life.
A burst pipe, a major leak, or a water heater that has failed completely are not problems that hold until a convenient time. We take emergency calls, and the job gets scoped on the phone so you know what to expect before anyone is dispatched. We give you straight answers about your pipes and fixtures, including whether the situation calls for an immediate visit or can be safely managed until a scheduled appointment.
Shut the water off at the main if a pipe has burst and the water is running. We will walk you through that on the call if needed. Give us a call and we will take it from there.
The process is straightforward. You call, describe what is happening, and we scope the job on the phone. The price is confirmed before anything is scheduled, so there is nothing to figure out after the visit. Pricing is clear and explained up front, and you can ask what it covers before you commit to a visit.
We work with homeowners scheduling a repair, property managers coordinating access to a unit, and businesses that need to work around operating hours. Whatever the situation, the call is where it starts.
We serve Athens and the communities around it, including Winterville, Bogart, Watkinsville, Statham, Commerce, Jefferson, and Madison. If your property sits in Clarke County or a neighboring county and you need a plumber, call and we will confirm whether your address falls in the service area.
A burst pipe, a major supply line leak, or a complete loss of hot water are the clearest examples. A sewer backup that is affecting multiple fixtures at once also falls into emergency territory, since it can make the property unusable.
If you are not sure whether your situation is urgent, call (706) 249-9655 and describe what is happening.
We will tell you whether it needs an immediate visit or can be safely managed until a scheduled appointment.
Tree roots follow moisture, and the joints in older clay or cast-iron sewer lines are where moisture escapes. Athens has one of the more mature urban tree canopies in Georgia, and many properties in the city sit above sewer lines that have been in the ground for decades. We run a camera inspection to locate and assess the intrusion, then clear it mechanically or with hydro jetting depending on what the camera shows. If the line is damaged beyond clearing, we assess whether a section repair or full replacement is the right call.
No hot water, water that takes a long time to reheat, discolored or rust-colored water from the hot faucet, and a unit that is leaking at the base are all signs worth calling about. On a tank unit, sediment buildup over time reduces efficiency and can shorten the unit's life. On a tankless system, error codes, inconsistent output, or a unit that fires and then cuts out are the usual indicators. We diagnose on the call and confirm the scope before the visit is booked.
A water heater that is running inefficiently forces the system to work harder to deliver hot water, which increases wear on fixtures and supply lines over time. Sediment that builds up in a tank unit can flake off and clog fixture aerators and showerheads. A leaking unit can cause water damage to the surrounding area if it is not caught early. Replacing a failing unit before it fails completely is almost always less disruptive than dealing with the aftermath.
Galvanized steel supply lines, which are common in older Athens properties, corrode from the inside out over time. That corrosion narrows the interior diameter of the pipe, which reduces flow and pressure throughout the house. It also creates weak points where leaks develop, often at fittings and joints first. When leaks keep coming back in different spots, the pipe itself is usually the issue rather than any individual fitting, and a repipe addresses the problem at the source.
A persistent sewer smell inside the house typically points to a dry trap, a cracked or missing cleanout cap, or a partial blockage that is allowing sewer gas to work back through the drain. In older homes with clay or cast-iron lines, a crack in the line itself can also be the source. We locate the cause before recommending a fix, because the right repair depends on where the odor is actually coming from.
A targeted repair is the right call when the problem is isolated and the surrounding pipe is in good condition. When a pipe is corroded throughout, when leaks keep returning in different spots, or when the material itself is past its service life, patching individual sections adds cost without solving the underlying problem. We give you a clear picture of what the pipe looks like before recommending one approach over the other.
Clay-heavy soils throughout Clarke County slow drainage significantly during heavy rain, and homes with basements or crawl spaces are particularly vulnerable to moisture intrusion when the ground is saturated. Installation involves setting the sump pit at the low point of the space, running a discharge line clear of the foundation, and fitting a check valve to prevent backflow. We size the pump to the drainage load the property actually sees rather than a standard unit that may be over or undersized for the conditions.
Clarke County water runs at a moderate hardness level, enough to leave scale buildup inside pipes, water heaters, and fixture aerators over time. Installation involves connecting the softener unit to the supply line ahead of the water heater and fixtures, setting the regeneration cycle to match household usage, and confirming the bypass valve is accessible for maintenance. The result is less scale accumulation and reduced wear on the plumbing downstream.
We use pressure testing to identify where a supply line is losing pressure, and electronic leak detection to locate the source without opening up walls or floors unnecessarily. For drain and sewer issues, a camera inspection shows exactly where a blockage or damage sits before any cutting or jetting starts. Finding the cause accurately before starting the repair is what keeps the job from expanding beyond what it needs to be.
We confirm the scope on the call before we arrive, so we know what we are walking into and you know what to expect. When we get there, we assess the situation, confirm the diagnosis, and walk you through what the repair involves before we start. We protect floors and finishes during the work and leave the area clean when we are done. If anything changes once we are into the job, we stop and confirm the revised plan before continuing.
We test the repair before we leave. For a drain cleaning, that means running water through the line and confirming it clears at the right rate. For a water heater replacement, we run the unit through a full cycle and check connections for leaks. For pipe repairs, we restore pressure and check the repair under working conditions. We do not leave until the work holds under the conditions it will face in use.
For most jobs, having someone present is helpful so we can walk through what we find and confirm anything that comes up during the visit. If you cannot be there, let us know when you call and we will work out an access plan. For larger jobs where decisions may need to be made mid-visit, we recommend having someone reachable by phone even if they are not on site.
When a repair or replacement brings an older system into scope, we confirm what the current code requires for that type of work before we start. If a correction is needed, we include it in the scope and the price before the visit is booked. We do not complete work that would leave a system in a condition that does not meet current requirements, because that creates problems for the property down the line.
Athens Plumbing Company handles the full range of residential and commercial plumbing work, from a clogged drain or a leaking pipe to a water heater replacement, a whole-home repipe, or a sewer line repair.
Call (706) 249-9655 between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM, any day of the week, and we will scope the job and give you a price before anything is scheduled. Book the visit. Scoped on the call. Done without the runaround.
Every plumbing call we get in Athens tells us something about the house, the history of the pipes, and what the property actually needs. The table below lays out the work we handle, what each service covers, and who it fits best. Call for a quote and we will scope the job on the phone before anything is scheduled.
| Plumbing Service | Scope of Work | Best For | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faucet & Fixture Installation | Kitchen and bathroom faucet repair and replacementSink, shower, and bathtub fixture workFinish plumbing for renovationsAll fixture types and finishes | Homeowners upgrading fixtures or dealing with persistent drips and leaks | We protect floors and finishes during fixture work, which matters when a bathroom remodel is already mid-project. |
| Water Heater Repair & ReplacementMost Popular | Tank and tankless diagnosticsHeating element and thermostat checksSediment flush and unit assessmentFull replacement with options confirmed on the call | Homeowners with no hot water, slow recovery, or a unit showing rust or leaks | We diagnose before recommending replacement, and the price is confirmed before anything is ordered or installed. |
| Garbage Disposal Service | Disposal repair and replacementHardwired unit installationJam clearing and resetConnection to drain line confirmed | Homeowners with a disposal that hums but will not spin, leaks at the base, or needs replacing after years of use | We handle the plumbing and electrical connection for hardwired units so the installation is complete in one visit. |
| Drain Cleaning & Clog Removal | Bathroom and kitchen drain clearingHydro jetting for grease and scaleFloor drain service for commercial kitchensCamera inspection for main-line clogs | Homeowners and property managers with slow or backed-up drains | Hydro jetting clears the full interior of the pipe rather than just punching through the blockage, which reduces how quickly the problem returns. |
| Leak Detection & Repair | Pressure testing and electronic detectionSlab leak location and repairBurst pipe and water line repairWall and ceiling leak tracing | Any property with unexplained water damage, rising water bills, or soft spots in walls or floors | Finding the source accurately before opening walls keeps the repair focused and the disruption to a minimum. |
| Sump Pump Installation | Sump pit placement at the drainage low pointDischarge line run clear of foundationCheck valve installationPump sizing to actual drainage load | Clarke County homes with crawl spaces or low-lying lots that take on water during heavy spring and summer rain | Georgia clay slows drainage significantly, and a correctly sized pump handles the load the property actually sees rather than a generic estimate. |
| Slab Leak Detection & Repair | Electronic and pressure-based leak locationConcrete access planningPipe repair or reroute under slabPost-repair pressure confirmation | Older Athens homes on slab foundations with unexplained pressure loss or warm spots on the floor | Accurate location before any concrete is touched keeps the repair contained and the cost predictable. |
| Whole-Home Repiping | Galvanized steel line replacementCopper and PEX supply line installationFixture reconnection after repipeCode-compliant finish throughout | Older Athens homes with recurring leaks, rust-colored water, or pressure loss affecting every fixture at once | When the pipe material itself is the problem, a repipe addresses the source rather than adding cost to repairs that keep coming back. |
| Toilet Repair & Installation | Running and leaking toilet repairFull toilet replacementFlapper, fill valve, and flush assembly serviceRough-in and finish for remodels | Homeowners dealing with a running toilet, a weak flush, or a fixture that needs replacing | A running toilet can waste a significant amount of water daily, so a repair typically pays for itself quickly on the water bill. |
| Well Pump Service | Pump pressure and output diagnosticsPressure tank assessmentPump repair or replacementSupply line from well to house | Rural Clarke County and surrounding county properties on private well water with pressure loss or no water at all | Pressure loss on a well system can come from the pump, the pressure tank, or the line, and we confirm the source before recommending a fix. |
| Sewer & Main Line Service | Camera inspection and blockage clearingMechanical and hydro-jet root removalSection repair and full line replacementTrenchless repair where conditions allow | Properties with slow drains throughout the house, sewer odors, or a line that has not been inspected in years | Athens properties with mature trees overhead are particularly prone to root intrusion into older clay and cast-iron lines. |
| Water Pressure & Shutoff Valve Repair | Pressure regulator diagnosis and replacementMain and fixture shutoff valve repairSupply line assessmentWhole-house pressure testing | Homeowners noticing a gradual drop in pressure at every fixture or a shutoff valve that will not fully close | A shutoff valve that does not fully close becomes a serious problem during a burst pipe or major leak, so it is worth addressing before an emergency. |
What is the difference between a tank and a tankless water heater, and which makes more sense for my home?
A tank water heater stores a set volume of hot water and reheats it as it is used. A tankless unit heats water on demand and does not maintain a stored supply. Tankless systems take up less space and do not run out of hot water the way a tank unit can during heavy use, but they have a higher upfront cost and specific venting and gas or electrical requirements. We walk through both options on the call so you know what each involves before the visit is booked.
How can I tell whether a clog is in a single fixture or in the main sewer line?
If one drain is slow and everything else in the house is working normally, the blockage is almost always in the branch line serving that fixture. When multiple drains back up at the same time, or when flushing a toilet causes water to come up in a shower or tub, the problem is further down in the main line. We confirm which situation you are dealing with on the call and scope the job accordingly.
What does hydro jetting do that a standard drain snake cannot?
A drain snake breaks through a blockage and creates an opening, but it does not clean the pipe wall. Hydro jetting uses pressurized water to scour the interior of the pipe, clearing grease buildup, mineral scale, and compacted debris from the full circumference rather than just the center. For kitchen lines and commercial drains that accumulate grease over time, jetting keeps the line clear longer than snaking alone.
Cause Found Before Anything Is Replaced
We diagnose the problem before recommending a fix. Whether it is a water heater, a sewer line, or a supply pipe, you get a clear explanation of what we found and why the repair makes sense before any work begins.
How does a slab leak get located without opening up the whole floor?
We use pressure testing to confirm a supply line is losing pressure, then electronic detection to narrow down where the loss is occurring. That process lets us identify the location within a small area before any concrete is touched. The goal is to open only what needs to be opened, which keeps the repair contained and the disruption limited.
What typically causes low water pressure throughout the whole house?
When pressure drops at every fixture at once rather than at just one, the cause is usually upstream of the fixtures themselves. Common sources include a failing pressure regulator, a partially closed main shutoff, or corroded galvanized supply lines that have narrowed internally over time. In older Athens homes, corroded pipe is the most frequent culprit, and a repipe resolves the pressure problem permanently rather than treating it fixture by fixture.
How do I know if my pipes need to be fully replaced or if repairs are still the right call?
A targeted repair is the right answer when the problem is isolated and the surrounding pipe is in good condition. When leaks keep returning in different spots, when the water is rust-colored, or when pressure has been dropping gradually across the whole house, the pipe material itself is usually past the point where patching makes sense. We assess the pipe condition before recommending one approach over the other so you are not spending on repairs that will not hold.
Code-Compliant Work on Every Job
Drain and pipe work is carried out to the standards the local code requires. That protects the repair and the property long after the visit is complete.
What should I do immediately if a pipe bursts?
Shut off the water at the main shutoff valve as quickly as possible to stop the flow. If you are not sure where the main is, call us and we will walk you through locating it before we get there. Once the water is off, the damage stops accumulating. Emergency calls are answered and the job is scoped on the phone so you know what to expect before anyone arrives.
How long does a whole-home repipe typically take?
The timeline depends on the size of the house, the number of fixtures, and what the existing pipe layout looks like. A straightforward repipe on a single-story home can often be completed in one to two days. Larger homes or properties where access is more complicated take longer. We give you a realistic scope on the call before the visit is booked so you can plan around it.
Scope Agreed Before Any Pipe Is Cut
The job is scoped on the call and confirmed on site before we start. If anything changes once we are into the work, we stop and walk you through the revised plan before continuing.
When does a running or leaking toilet become a problem worth calling about right away?
A toilet that runs continuously can waste a substantial amount of water over the course of a day, which shows up on the water bill faster than most people expect. A toilet that leaks at the base is a more urgent call because water is reaching the floor and can damage the subfloor if it is left. Either situation is worth scheduling promptly rather than waiting to see if it resolves on its own, because it will not.
How do I know whether my garbage disposal needs a repair or a full replacement?
A disposal that hums but will not spin usually has a jammed plate, which is often fixable without replacement. A unit that leaks at the base has a failed internal seal, and replacement is typically the more practical answer at that point. A disposal that trips its reset button repeatedly may have a motor that is failing. We confirm the cause before recommending a fix so you are not replacing a unit that could have been repaired.
How does a well pump problem show up, and what does service involve?
The most common signs are a drop in water pressure, air in the lines, a pump that cycles on and off rapidly, or no water at all. The issue can be in the pump itself, the pressure tank, or the supply line between the well and the house. We diagnose which component is failing before recommending a repair or replacement, and we confirm the scope and the price on the call before the visit is scheduled.
Call us for a quote and we will scope the job on the phone, confirm the price before anything is scheduled, and give you straight answers about your pipes and fixtures from the first call.
(706) 249-9655